Hymn/Song Information

Christians awake salute the happy morn

Christians, awake,
salute the happy morn,
Whereon the Saviour
of mankind was born;
Rise to adore the mystery of love,
Which hosts of angels
chanted from above;
With them the joyful
tidings first begun
Of God Incarnate
and the Virgin's Son.

Then to watchful shepherds
it was told,
Who heard the angelic
herald voice: "Behold,
I bring good tidings
of a Saviour's birth
To you and all
the nations upon the earth:
This day hath God fulfilled
His promised word,
This day is born
a Saviour, Christ the Lord."

He spake: and straightway
the celestial choir
In hymns of joy,
unknown before, conspire;
The praises of
redeeming love they sang,
And heaven's whole orb
with hallelujahs rang;
God highest glory
was their anthem still,
Peace upon earth,
and unto men goodwill.

To Bethlehem straight
the enlightened shepherds ran,
To see the wonder God
had wrought for man;
And found, with Joseph
and the blessed maid,
Her Son, the Saviour,
in a manger laid;
Then to their flocks,
still praising God, return,
And their glad hearts
with holy rapture burn.

O may we keep and ponder
in our mind
God's wondrous love
in saving lost mankind!
Trace we the Babe,
Who hath retrieved our loss,
From His poor manger
to His bitter cross;
Tread in His steps,
assisted by His grace,
Till man's first heavenly state
again takes place.

Then may we hope,
the angelic hosts among,
To sing, redeemed,
a glad triumphal song;
He that was born
upon this joyful day
Around us all
His glory shall display;
Saved by His love,
incessant we shall sing
Eternal praise
to heaven's Almighty King.

---Alternative verses---

Like Mary let us ponder in our mind
Godís wondrous love
in saving lost mankind!
Trace we the Babe,
who hath retrieved our loss,
From His poor manger
to His bitter cross,
Tread in His steps,
assisted by His grace,
Till manís first heavínly state
again takes place.